The owners of the award-winning Bridge Inn at Ratho have acquired two pubs in Fife for an undisclosed sum.

Graham and Rachel Bucknall, who have scooped a number of awards for the Bride Inn after taking it over in 2010, have acquired The Ship Inn and The Golf Tavern in Elie from Richard and Jill Phillip.

The couple plan to refurbish both outlets, which will include adding bedrooms to the Ship Inn.

Graham Bucknall said: “Elie is a wonderful place to live, work and visit so we’re thrilled to be taking over two such outstanding businesses.

“With Fife’s strength in local food and drink, we’re looking forward to working with local farmers and producers to develop the menus.

“The area is already recognised as something of a foodie haven and we want to add to that, boosting growth by appealing to locals and visitors alike.

“We have great ideas for both places and we look forward to working and talking with all of our regular customers about our plans before putting them into place.

“It will take time but we hope by next Easter people will start to see some exciting changes. ”

The Bucknalls acquired the Bridge Inn at Ratho in 2010 and since then the pub and restaurant has won numerous accolades, most recently Best Pub in Scotland at the AA Hospitality Awards and were regional winners in the recent Great British Pub Awards.

The Bridge Inn has also been awarded an AA Rosette and is currently shortlisted for the CIS Pub Excellence Award 2014 and the Waitrose Food and Drink Restaurant of The Year Award 2015.